This Quick, Cheap, Easy, and Portable Antenna Mount / Ground Spike is a MUST HAVE! 😯😱
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- For $11.00, the cost of a Chipotle Burrito and a Coke (Probably), YOU can build a simple yet DURABLE antenna mount for your Ham Radio and CB Radio Needs.
It is Simple and I'll show you. Next, I'll go into a few INTERESTING mods to make with your $11.00 spike, which will increase the total project cost, but may be worth it to you:
3 Way Antenna Mirror Mount - These are at Hamfests for $8-10 typically. Look in the sections where the dudes are selling all the cheap /half functional COAX Adapters or go to Amazon.com for $13.00 - amzn.to/3vYKWI0
Notice the bracket has a 90 degree L shape and the other bracket has a bend. This is good.. If the side of the bracket with the bend is the wrong way, unscrew it, flip it, and screw it back in.
Get yourself a tent spike. They are a buck. Harbor Freight, Walmart, Ace Hardware, wherever. If you only need one or two, your best bet is Walmart. If you refuse to go to Walmart, that's cool, go to Ace Hardware, I'm not your Boss. If you want bulk, go to harbor freight or bucks - amzn.to/3w15XSm
NEED an actual antenna? I have bought cheap ones from Ali Express. NOTE they are not 3/8-24 threaded, but they do work and are less than half the cost of MFJ (video coming soon). The quality of the aliexpress ones aren't as good however.
additionally Don't buy your MFJ 1979 on Amazon. the sellers there want 98 dollars! Instead, a company like Gigaparts is $74.00
www.gigaparts.c...
* Please note, any amazon links above are affiliate links. This means I may make a portion of commission from each sale.
#hamradio #cbradio #antenna #qrznow
Is this to be used with 11 Meter (CB) ?
@@micwell2247 absolutely
Yes, thank you for showing us how to make our own antennas and not just trying to sell someone else's antenna that they are selling. That makes you a real Elmer.
Turn the bolts around and use them to attach your ground radials. That gets them out of the way of coax connectors and gives plenty of room to attach all kind radials, The carabiner could also be attached so it would not be so close to the element
If you did that. You could bolt on a hard pull handle, of some sort!
As an amateur (n9pww) and a trucker, I can tell you those antenna mounts are readily available at larger truckstops all day long. Usually around $20.
Thanks
They are also on Amazon for less than $10
Hu 8 gg😮
Hu vo thi usse hu😢😢😢😢🎉 hu 0:24 😢 bumm. Bye @@SteveH-TN
Thank you for the inspiration to build a portable Hamstick vertical without spending a dime. I built one with a Hamstick I was given years ago, a spare tent peg, a rear-view mirror mount I was given along with the Hamstick, and I used some ring terminals I had in my junkbox instead of Anderson Power Poles. I spent $0.00. It tuned up at 1.4:1 as measured by my MFJ 269B (which I had to repair first) and my KX1's tuner brought the SWR down to 1:1. I made 3 CW contacts this afternoon at my daughter's home in her back yard. It was a little tough at QRP but it worked. Thank you for setting the example with what you can accomplish with nothing more than what you have laying around the shack!
I'm so happy to hear this, congratulations!
Thanks for referring to me as a newer generation haha. I appreciate it as a 63 year old new to the hobby. 73!
Welcome to amateur radio
I would turn the bolts around so they are pointing out of the way of the so239. Add a nut and washer and you have a better mounting point for the radials. Great video series! Thanks
Thank you, turning the bolts would definitely work!
Chipotle Burrito and a Coke went up☹. Love these antenna solutions. Thanks for sharing.
I'll tell you Chipotle definitely went up lol
It’s good to see an amateur build antennas that are usable without getting too bogged down in the theory. The theory can come later but many folks need to get on the air first
Absolutely! Thanks for watching!
This is the set up i was talking bout. This mount with the coil n some radials is ALL you gonna need in the field or base.
Time to show us how to make our own home made river/slidewinder coil.
I made mines 100 turns on a 2,5" pvc + 14"wire and a hose clamp.
Have made something like this in the past. Nothing wrong with showing new hams, or even those that have been hams for awhile, something simple. Like these type of videos, nice break from all the new radio reviews
If you'd like a longer ground stake, check out concrete rebar at building supply stores. You can get it cut to most lengths or cut it yourself with an angle grinder.
Thanks! Will be good for the beach
I was thinking of rebar myself. Unpainted should ground better and you can get them in any length if you have soft soils.
I'd use a 4-ft copper ground rod with a filed point instead of the spike. You should be able to hammer it into most ground about 3-ft. Also, keep the long bolts and just turn them around so that the bolt heads are next to the SO-239.
Thanks for doing it one more “time”.
Thanks, I'm not sure why "time" is in quotations, but I am happy to help.
I've done the same thing using cut off ground rods cut off at 18". They are more stable in the ground.
I was getting a good look at those at ace hardware the other day. My buddy, KD9RUG carries one with his setup also. Seems to work way well. And this is a question you may have the answer too, but at 18" does that eliminate the need for radials or do you still use them?
@@HAMRADIODUDE No you still need radials, but you have the option of adding more if you want to add ground connectors
Thanks for showing simple yet effective solutions for setting up various antennas. Keep rockin' it out!
JFYI at 4:19 you put the white washer on with the centering lip away from the hole in the bracket.... That lip goes into the bracket to center and insulate the center conductor stud. If you don't want to have problems later.... Ask me how I know!
Nice to see inexpensive options for those that like to save… Nice work!
Thank you
Good Video Sean, I'm doing okay, just saw the Cardiologist this morning. It seems I may have an arrhythmia problem. I get exhausted doing anything like walking to the kitchen from my bedroom which is about 25 feet. really sucks, Steve, KM9G, made me a 40m-6m 1/2 wave End fed antenna. I got it last Saturday, have not put it up yet for reasons you know.
That's great , it would be a good idea to build a ground T spike that would be easy to grip & pull out from the ground after use .
Great use of an inexpensive mount! So affordable just might give this one a try...
I've done this before with a 102, a piece of aluminum angle, a big bolt, and a stud mount just stuck it in the grass the base of the antenna was 4 in off the ground with untuned coax I still had decent SWR and talked all over town like I was in my mobile with a good antenna tune but I assumed that was because its straight to ground
I watched your video a couple of times to double-check the assembly of the mount and double-check the continuity of the center connector, spike, shield, and the 90-degree connector I put on the coax mount. Thank you. 73 de David AE4LH
Great idea! Thanks for sharing it!
I will look for the tent stake. Others turned the bolts around so they stuck out the back side. But that could be a problem for some. Thanks for the infomation! 73 W4DES
Thanks for the video HRD. We're always inventing. Great for POTA or Field Day applications.
Looks like a build even I could attempt. Excellent. Thanks!
And just came back to CB AND HAM . LOVE THE SHOW, CHEERS ALAN FROM ENGLAND 💯👍
Should build them and sell them,with a reasonable markup as a side hustle.A lot of people don't have the tools
Honestly, I don't have a lot of tools or space either
Been using this same mount for few years now…… 12 inch railroad spike works excellent. Can get at the local hardware store under $1
Thank you! I'm going to go find one now
Home Depot or lowes
simple, inexpensive solutions, that is the content why I am here.
While assembled, use a dremmel tool with a cut off wheel. Just cut the one bolt off next to the nut.
Many old Fudds would regergitate at the fact they were using a CB antenna mount, for anything! ($7.50 at a well equipped truck stop!) Opting to spend $40.00 on the same item, that says HAM Radio on the packaging!
Appreciate your video, I’ve been a ham for 25+ years yet I learned something useful.
73 Steve AA4SH
Great to hear!
good video, thanks for posting. I'd have loved to see the whole thing with the ground plane.
Такой же кронштейн от MFJ использую. Из доработок - сделал удобный зажим, что бы подключать противовесы. Прикрутил его к старому штыку от СКСа. Что бы легко в землю втыкать. Использую совместно с антеннами, то же от MFJ, серии MFJ-16XX, при работе QRP на природе.
это отличный способ использовать его, очень хорошо. Не могли бы вы описать штык, поскольку у меня проблемы с переводом того, как выглядит шип. Спасибо
@@HAMRADIODUDE ну, я специально пишу по русски, так как все эти онлайн-переводчики, при "двойном переводе" делают ужасные смысловые ошибки.
В общем, откидной штык от СКС. Он прочный и хорошо входит в грунт. В то же время, вся конструкция относительно мало весит.
@@alexblinoff5241 Спасибо. Я думал, ты говоришь о таком штыке. очень круто! это отличная идея, и у меня есть несколько таких штыков. может быть, я могу сделать один с этим. Спасибо! с наилучшими пожеланиями!
Cool build! If you flip the bolts the opposite way, you won't have the clearance issue and it'll save some pennies.
good idea, thanks
I made mine for less. LOL! I used a tire iron from a junk car as the spike, and a old cb mount from who knows where. Cheap is good.
Good work MacGuyver! Glad it all works and also glad you didn't drill a hole in your hand!🤓🖐
There is a reason I have two 😎. Someone suggested a vice grip for the future I'll definitely need to get one
@@HAMRADIODUDE yes Sean, good idea. After all, hands are handy to keep. 😆
@@DonzLockz absolutely. I have a vice upstairs, but didn't want aluminum shards all over the office. Gotta fix that
just purchased a chameleon ss17 whip and the mount. Will hook up some radials and give it a go.
Loving the budget solutions my dude. New sub.
Wow, you just keep nailing it!
Thank you, sir. Wait until the next one lol
Those mounts work great that what I'm using for my UHF/VHF Base antenna with mobile antenna
@7:44 Oh no let me give you a warning about that. Drilling pieces in one hand while holding them in the other? That is a fantastic way to gouge the drill into the other hand, my good sir. One way or another it translates to pain. It's happened to me enough that seeing it made me leave this comment. LOL I won't hold anything and drill on it like that ever again :) Good luck.
You're definitely right.
You could use copper lightning rod for the spike. They are a little bit longer and larger diameter for better stability.
Yeah totally. Definitely not we portable but more stable
@HAMRADIODUDE The ones I'm talking about are about 18 inches long that were used on the roof and went to ground with a heavy cable.
@@timromankb9upy321 ah yes. My mind went to the huge ones. That should work fine! Thanks!
Instead of tent spikes you could use rebar or landscaping nails, I like the idea
Way cool, similar to my
2 meter "shrub antenna".
Good video, thanks!
Good job, I enjoyed the video. Let see more in the future.
I have a 4 foot copper ground around half way in the ground just outside of my shack. A copper ground wire goes inside about 10 feet to a terminal that grounds all of my equipment. Another wire goes in the opposite direction about 4 feet to ground a metal antenna mast . I attached a 20m ham stick to the top of this rod today , I’m having excellent reception so far with a SWR around 2.5 on the on the MFJ tuner. I haven’t tried to transmit yet. Do these ground wires possibly act as a radial of some sort or is in going to cause problems… thanks again and I subscribed today 🇺🇸✝️👍🏻
Wow, looks just like mine. did Rob show you that?
Who's Rob?
I made this a year ago, i have 32 POTA activations with it so far 73 NS9T
Why are you grounding your radial/counterpoise.
Never heard of harbour fright. But jokes aside great video very helpful
It's a fright, because it's scary what you may get.
First when I watched these kind of videos I thought "ok, all of this complexity for the content. Even new hams will understand its for the content". Then one day I was in a park close to home doing qrp and hunting for contacts with Asia and a newly licensed ham came talk to me and he was extremely fascinated when he saw me with the cheapest qrpguys, erected with a cheap fishing pole tied to my cheap foldable chair having qsos with Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia using a qcx mini and a home made paddle.
The content you ham TH-camrs make is great. Anything that helps bringing people to the hobby is good, but at the same time you make new hams think they must have all this expensive, high power rigs to be able to, maybe, reach the other side of the country. Hams who are currently only using 2 meters and have you, HRCC, etc.. as reference of what HF is have a clean image in their head that HF is all about ft-8 and using 100w radios to reach the next state. The idea of DX (by DX i mean 5k miles +) don't exist in their heads, for example.
I understand that a video showing yourself doing DX or CW is not that attractive when it comes to content, but showing other facets of the hobby from time to time would be nice.
Hey check out the last video where I made a 4200 mi contact to Hawaii with a ham stick in the back of my truck and an inexpensively engineered multi-band antenna. I know you don't think I make videos about making contacts on sideband or other modes, but I do a lot of live streams where I actually do that kind of stuff. And the live streams typically get taken off or made private afterwards and I use the footage and videos. I appreciate all the kind words, and I tried to be as versatile as possible but it's not that easy because I don't get huge sponsorships by companies or them sending me things for free (typically). I do a lot to try to Target a new ham who is trying to get started and may not understand how an antenna works or how inexpensive making an antenna could be, that's kind of my thing right now. I tried to review some inexpensive radios like the xiegu x6100, which was a pile of garbage. Again thanks for your input and support ... I'll do what I can
Also, I agree with you completely. I've made videos about using a guitar fishing pole for hoisting up an infant antenna. I actually have an infant antenna build video coming out as well as a j-pold bill video coming out which you could do for fairly cheap. It's possible I am misunderstanding this comment, and if I am my apologies. However, it sounds like you'd like to see me do videos where there's more inexpensive options for beginners?
Sorry, last one LOL. It may help if I create a playlist linking a list of videos that I've made in regards to inexpensive options for hams?
Hey, this gives me some ideas for my QRPGuys Switchable 3-band vertical for 20, 30, & 40M. The antenna suggests using a wire vertical supported by a 21' fiberglass or carbon fiber fishing rod and a switched board with appropriate inductors for band switching. It is meant for temporary POTA or SOTA use, but your mount and spike could work in conjunction with the fishing rod in some form. I have a female BNC on the board so I will have to adapt that, but I believe I could possibly fashion an 8" PVC & cab as they suggest into the bracket as well. TIme to see what the junk box has available, LOL. Cheers & 73, Dave - KU9L
Absolutely. A guy, George on the ham radio clubhouse discord did just that or something super similar. Good luck!
Great stuff! Super video too. Thanks! ⚡️📻🤘
Looks like a nice unit... and how about turning the bolts so they stick out of the other side?
Turning the bolts would definitely work. Thanks!
I am new to building antennas and always have questions.
How does the range on a vertical like this and say a Dipole, End or Center fed, Moxon or Yagi compare?
I love the simplicity of the one in your video here and can't wait to see the improvements you mentioned waiting on for the 4way, Multiband adapter. I think this would be awasome for camping, POTA and Field Days.... Lastly, love the usage of the Anderson Power Poles for the ground radial.
Imho, this setup will not do very well at all. I did a similar thing many years ago using a 2' length of ground rod as my spike. I then connected four 25' lengths of electric fence wire to the ground rod using a screw type hose clamp & staked them into the ground with some old 12" barn spikes.
It worked pretty well for a portable station.
Watching all these antenna videos. Back in the day we just strung a folded dipole above the roof. No SWF meters. It was fine. We are all lost in these technicalities. What is the final result? What do you actually hear on 40m, 15, 10m? Very little, because everyone has migrated to 6m or 2m. Handheld. And how did mobile car antennas work?
No, the real choice was a "quad" or Yagi.
Whatever works
@@HAMRADIODUDE my point was this. Like speakers, it's not the specs in the end, its the subjective feel. Of all these antennas do we have an object 599 sense which really works best? The best and clearest reception? K6AGE
I can agree to that. Thanks for clarifying
A great vid for ground mount vertical.
Have you tried using that system with a piece of aluminum screen instead of radials? wa7ups
Good evening KV5P
As a new amateur ham, I was wondering the Telescoping antenna attached to the base, does this require at all a Balun and or a coil for common mode current? Just wondering... as I am looking for a simple antenna to start me off on HF and this looks like a great solution. I have the mirror mount I picked up, just need a Telescoping Antenna and anything else you may suggest to complete the setup.
Chokes are important. Do you have to run one (required)? No, not absolutely. Radio will still work without it, you'll probably still activate parks or make contacts. However, It is within the best practices to Choke it. Choking it reduces the potential for "Mic Bite", RF Burns, and your coax acting like an antenna. Thus having a choke should be more efficient than not. Cheers!
Can you post a link on how to make radial connections like you have done here? TIA.
I probably talk about it in this video - th-cam.com/video/hkOVlHnH9eE/w-d-xo.html but if you give me a few days, i will make a video solely for it. Thanks!
@@HAMRADIODUDE Many thanks from a newbie.
I only have a mobile unit in my truck and I'm trying to learn more, what is the extra wire for and where does it go to?
Did you notice, if you put 2 of those "trucker's mounts" back to back and reversed it makes a MFJ-347 hamstick dipole mount. For a savings of about $17+ shipping. Thoughts?
Check this out www.k1cra.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=WORKRVD . I have no experience with the company, but that is inexpensive.
Thanks this neat idea
Pretty d a r n awsome, Sean...🤘💯🎸🎸🎸🤘🍻🙋♂
Why not use a thread rod or rebar so it's not so close to the ground and you can get more height...
Dude, god job.
Great video!!
Thank you
Hey, I have made those for friends for a couple years, so thank you for publishing your DIY…. Just wondered if you could elaborate on your “X” plate please.. and thank you..De N1aqh Spike
Absolutely. Unfortunately at the moment I'm driving so it's hard for me to link it. But if you go to my videos and check the last 10 videos or so, you'll see something called the hamstick commander. This video I kind of came up with the concept of the whole thing. And from there I made another video and I think I called it the mag Mount Commander. Basically I designed a wire spacer similar to what you may see with the DX Commander. Additionally, the file if you have a 3D printer, is on thingiverse.com
What a great idea/video. I might even attempt this as an alternative to my Wolf River coil base. What is the Power Poles used for?
The power poles are how I use or install my radial wires, although you could just use the bolts on the L bracket with ring terminals. The woofer recoil I believe comes with 3, 32 ft radial wires. You can even use those if you desire. Best of luck! If you do use this as an alternative to the WRC stand, would you let me know how it works out as far as stability? Thanks!
I am curious how you construct the radials using power poles(wire of choice)? I have never seen that done. It might be a better alternative than the x6 wire radials I currently use.
The ground spike should not be above the top of the antenna mount that can cause a slight SWR issue.
Thank you
Too cool for school .... Nice job Sean! 73 - KF6IF
Harbor Fright. I'm sure that wasn't intentional.
Everyday is a new day to be better and learn . 🤷♂️
Wow! Great antenna mount solution. It’s too bad I can’t se it here in any New York City Park. There is a $2,500 fine for poking any hold in any park. You can’t throw wire up into a tree either or you will get the same $2,500 fine. I call it the City Parks as a museum concept.
I have an idea for you.. can you clamp anything on to a bench?
@@HAMRADIODUDE Nope. Can't clamp anything on city property. I usually use a JawMount to clamp my antenna to my wagon (the type used to use as a shopping cart). Thanks for getting back to me. 73 de N2LRB
@@josebrivera1716 Have you looked into he Wolf River Coil? That may be the best option
Poor you! I cannot understand why anyone would spend more than a few hours in NYC. It makes even 1890s Prussian Berlin look like a garden of delight. You might look into using a tripod. Camera ones would do for small antennas mounted low. Lighting tripods would work for larger antennas up higher. I have one of those. But I suspect NYC has laws against that too.
@@Inkling777 I was born, have been raised here in the city. One does not just pick up and go. Maybe you have no roots anywhere but many of us do. Our families are here and ham radio is not the primary reason to stay in one place. I guess we city people are made of sterner stuff. Why have such a mean reply?
Ground spike should be longer
Sure, One an easily get a large rod at the local box store. I chose for portable use and prefer a smaller spike (although the 12 " stake would have been nice). probably can also make a spike out of some spare aluminum rods I have laying around. I haven't had an issue with stability yet. Thanks for the suggestions, have a good one.
By the way, I took a look at your youtube page. Nice Chocolate Lab!
Thank you and another great video. How far apart would you recommend putting the antennas on a hamstick commander?
Good question. I have a idea on how to test this, but it'll be next week when I get to test this.
@@HAMRADIODUDE ok thank you and I’ll be interested in knowing. I’m thinking about doing something similar and was just curious about how far apart they should be. Thanks for what you are doing and the videos.
So that carabiner clip is giving a perfect ground?....
It's a mount for an antenna that goes into the ground. If you desire a ground, get a longer rod. This has been discussed in another video where the dude spike was made.
I'm new to ham radios and would like to build something like this for my first radio. Can anyone give me any info on the radials? Type of wire, kength, etc? I see tbe connectors, but not sure what's needed for the radials themselves.
Ok new ham here whats the 2 or 4 antennas together for thanks
It would be like a Hamstick version of the dx commander. Bsically, each antenna element can work independently. So 20m hamstick, with a 10m hamstick, and you can have both of those bands. Heres an example - th-cam.com/video/E55VWFHDvYk/w-d-xo.html
@@HAMRADIODUDE thanks I was thinking they were all running the same band
Hmmm. This will send me to my junk supply.
That's my favorite room in the house! The winters coming, I have the opportunity to probably get into that closet and build things that are in there.. I really enjoy repurposing. Good luck!
At 7:40 - Drill in one hand, drilled object in the other. I did that once, things slipped, and I drilled a hole into one finger. Not recommended.
I agree.
Where did you get that steak at ?
The tent spikes? 1:47 into the video
Nice💯👍
Why the red wire?
I thought I responded: in short, that's where the radial wires attach to. You'll need radials on a vertical like this. I have 5 at 10ft each, but this could be more or less depending on what bands you plan to operate
So how did you get the Chinese whip to mate to the 3/8 - 24 coupler?
Rethreaded a 3/8 inch coupler. I'll make a video
@@HAMRADIODUDE great - would like to learn how
What and Where ...did You Get The 2 Silver 4 Sided Plates to Put The Antennas on?
The ones shaped like a Cross?
@@HAMRADIODUDE .....yes...
so you have a premier during the ft8iff?
No. The premier is at 6pm
th-cam.com/play/PLx7eWHQQtzBlSLJ8Tl4jM2dsPupKQgZOK.html
Nice inexpensive mount but i see you have that Red wire hooked to four black wires......Where are they going to? four grounds?______
They are for the radials. Radials act as a ground plane, or the second part of an antenna. Color of the wire didn't matter, just how/where I placed them on the mount. Without radials, the antenna really isn't as effective as it could be.
They just go out and follow the ground, I gave mine in equal directions around the antenna
@@HAMRADIODUDE Perfect I was scratching my head trying to figure it out.....Thank You
So you have a link to that 1/4 wave 20m antenna?
Sure. I don't remember in the video if I did it was an MFJ or wolf river telescoping antenna, but it is for sure the wolf river www.wolfrivercoils.com/order.html I got the 213 inch
@@HAMRADIODUDE Thanks. I’m looking for a beginner, no frills 20 antenna for a base station. Torn between using Ham Sticks or an inverted V diapole. I’m sure you have a video on that somewhere. Cool channel!
@@TheMultisportGeek I don't, but it's a great idea. Personally, I'd go with a half wave 20m dipole, as close to 35 feet if you can. But the thing with that is, dipoles are semi directional. I have great results with the 20m telescoping antenna and radials like shown in the video. Whatever you choose, happy contacts, have fun!
Where can I buy that antenna???
Actual telescoping part or the whole setup?
If you don't want buy a $10.00 bag of crappy tent stakes... Go find a hometown, old fashioned, real hardware store, who sells landscaping nails "By the Pound"! Buy you a few 10" or 12" galvanized nails. For $3.00 +/-, They make the best tent stakes you'll ever use, and last for 30 years!
I'm just picked up a spike from Home Depot but it is painted. Should I scrape the paint off to get the bracket to ground to the spike?
the spike in this case is just to mount the contraception into the ground. The radials are going to be doing the work. So as long as the radials have continuity to the outer shield of the connector, no need to scrape the paint off.
@@HAMRADIODUDE Thanks for the reply and explanation. I put it out with 15 2.5m radials and the SWR was down to 1:1 on 40m hamstick where on my mag mount it was fighting to get below 2:1. the other bands followed suit. Thanks for the simple design. It really works!
@@btaylor1948 thank you. I needed to hear some positive results today. Glad to hear!
Please stop flipping it around so fast all the time there is no way to see what it really looks like
I've tried many different times to slow down. This is me slowed down. I can't slow down anymore. The pause button works. 5:43 seconds should get you a still photo of the object. Thanks for the suggestion, cheers.
I did think of one other thing that may be helpful; there is an option to play the video at a slower speed in the settings if youtube. If you need, I can send you a photo